A Salesforce certified admin can: 

• Help companies customize Salesforce to align with the specific needs and processes of the organization, ensuring a tailored CRM solution. 
• Handle the day-to-day management and maintenance of the platform. This includes everything from user management, data integrity, security settings, to system updates. 
• Serve as a bridge between business owners and technical teams by collaborating with stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into Salesforce configurations. 
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity within the CRM system, implement data governance best practices, and enforce data quality standards. 
• Stay abreast of the frequent updates and features, keeping the system up to date and leveraging new functionalities to optimize business processes.

Why outsource Salesforce administration?

The rising demand for efficient Salesforce administrators is directly proportional to the constant growth of Salesforce. In fact, as per research done by Salesforce, the company recorded a 148% job growth for admins in the US.  

While hiring in-house individual or teams for managing Salesforce is okay, outsourcing Salesforce administration is a game-changer for businesses seeking to streamline their operations, capitalize on Salesforce’s full potential, and stay ahead of the competition.  

Let’s look at the top 5 benefits of outsourcing Salesforce administration: 

1. Gain Access to Expertise: Salesforce comprises multiple clouds and extensive features to help companies achieve long-term success. However, to leverage Salesforce to its full potential, companies need administrators who come with hands-on expertise in various facets of the platform. These administrators must also be able to update themselves with the frequent changes in the Salesforce platform.

Having an in-house resource who can offer this level of expertise and who can also scale rapidly can be difficult for any company. However, outsourcing solves this problem. When organizations decide to outsource Salesforce management, they gain access to a wide pool of experts who are well-aware of the platform. 

• These experts keep themselves updated with all the recent developments surrounding Salesforce 
• They work with other Salesforce professionals, which makes it easier for them to deliver projects having varied requirements 
• Since they work with Salesforce all the time, they know the best ways to use the tool 

2. Avoid Losses Due to Administrator Turnover: Hiring a Salesforce certified admin who can manage the Salesforce platform optimally is one challenge for companies. Retaining them for a longer period is another challenge. Moreover, the tech industry suffers from the highest employee turnover rate of 13.2%! This poses a constant threat for companies hiring in-house individuals to manage their Salesforce.

When an in-house Salesforce administrator leaves, it disrupts the smooth functioning of the Salesforce platform, and can lead to potential losses. Outsourcing Salesforce administration saves this trouble for the companies as the cost of turnover is borne by the outsourced firm. 

• By outsourcing, companies can also save time and resources needed to hire new administrators 
• They can minimize the productivity gap that gets created upon an in-house administrators’ departure 
• Ensure a smooth transition when one administrator leaves and the other takes over 

3. Very Little or No Ramp Time: When an in-house Salesforce admin chooses to leave the company and is replaced by a new one, it creates a productivity gap and invites losses. The new hire takes weeks or months (ramp time) to understand the current system, adapt to it, and reach his/her full potential to deliver the desired outcomes. 

By outsourcing Salesforce administration, companies can ensure very little or no ramp time during their transition. It is found out that on average, companies can save nearly four weeks of ramp time if they have an outsourced Salesforce admin. 

• Outsourced Salesforce admins are already proficient in using the platform and hence, they can offer immediate support to the company 
• Reduced ramp time also ensures accelerated time to value and faster return on investment 

• Companies can avoid expenses associated with training, onboarding, and lost productivity during the learning period.

4. Increased Efficiency at Controlled Budget: Having a sole in-house Salesforce administrator may result in limited expertise, divided attention, and missed opportunities for efficiency and scalability. Additionally, companies often incur higher costs by employing in-house Salesforce administrators, paying 1.25-1.5 times the salary of an employee. 

With outsourced professionals handling Salesforce management, businesses can leverage their expertise and experience to streamline processes, optimize workflows, and improve overall system performance at significantly reduced costs. This allows businesses to align their Salesforce administration costs directly with their requirements, scaling up or down as needed. 

• Companies can hire these experts on a flexible payment model, such as monthly retainer or project-based pricing.  
• Outsourcing reduces the need for investing in ongoing training and professional development for in-house staff 
• Companies can eliminate the burden of hardware and software investments 

5. Ensure using Salesforce with the Best Practices: Due to Salesforce’s complexity, companies often struggle to maximize the benefits of Salesforce and improve system efficiency due to a lack of adherence to Salesforce best practices. In-house administrators may not possess the necessary knowledge or experience to effectively handle complex tasks or implement strategies that enhance productivity and fully utilize the platform’s capabilities. 

Outsourced Salesforce administrators are well-versed in the intricacies of the platform and can efficiently handle complex tasks. They bring a deep understanding of Salesforce best practices and can implement effective strategies to enhance productivity and maximize the platform’s capabilities. 

• By adhering to Salesforce best practices, companies can maximize the benefits of Salesforce, improve system efficiency, and enhance user experience.   
• Outsourced Salesforce admin can recommend and implement best practices related to data management, security, scalability, and integration. 
• By outsourcing, companies can ensure that their Salesforce ecosystem is well-maintained and aligned with industry standards.

When should companies consider outsourcing Salesforce Administration? 

Limited In-House Expertise: If the company lacks in-house expertise and specialized knowledge required for efficient Salesforce administration, outsourcing can provide access to experienced professionals who are well-versed in managing and optimizing the platform. 

Cost Constraints: Outsourcing Salesforce administration can be a viable option for companies with limited financial resources or budgetary constraints. It allows businesses to reduce costs associated with hiring, training, infrastructure, and ongoing support compared to maintaining an in-house Salesforce team. 

Scalability and Flexibility: When a company experiences fluctuations in its Salesforce administration needs, such as during periods of high demand or expansion, outsourcing allows for easy scalability. Outsourcing providers can quickly adjust resources and support levels based on the company’s requirements. 

Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing Salesforce administration, businesses can redirect their internal resources and expertise towards their core competencies and strategic initiatives. This allows for greater focus on driving growth, innovation, and achieving business objectives. 

Time Optimization: Managing Salesforce administration can be time-consuming, requiring dedicated efforts and ongoing maintenance. Outsourcing enables companies to save time by offloading administrative tasks to external experts, freeing up internal resources for more value-added activities. 

Parting Thoughts